A True E Statement!

So yesterday afternoon was a lazy one around the condo in between church services! I flipped on the TV and saw that there was gymnastics on. I called E in to watch (knowing full well she was going to want to dress up in full gear, also knowing I didn't pack a leotard with us! Trouble in sight!) Anyways, she came in bouncing and excited to watch! Of course, about 2 minutes later:
E: "Mommy, can I get in my leotard?"
Me: "Well, E, I didn't bring a leotard, I'm sorry. How about you put on your swimsuit?"
E: "Okay" with a little disappointment.

By now, G had come in the room to see what all the excitement was about. E comes dressed in her swimsuit and without hesitation says:
E: "G, do you want to watch me do the gymnastics or the tv?"
G: "Uh, E, I think I am going to watch the tv."
E: "Okay, well, I am doing the same thing!"

Classic E!!! She never disappoints me for a laugh!

E has also had a rough week in transition life this week! She has not made good choices and has been in trouble often this week - usually leading her brothers into temptation as well. I felt like we had tried everything, warned over 100 million times, disciplined until it couldn't be done anymore - it was time to start taking away priviledges. Now, being that we are in transition - we are trying to be a wee-bit more lenient. We also don't have many activities and priviledges to take away. The only major one we have is AWANA, where she is a Sparks member. The kids truly look forward (and work hard, I must add in here) to AWANA. We had warned E all day about losing Sparks and she pushed the envelope too far and lost the priviledge. Now, for the most part, I have enjoyed parenting and the results Ryan and I have gotten from our children. However, this was probably the hardest time parenting E so far. Ryan and I debated letting her "earn it back", however, we felt in the end, the message needed to get through as far as making better choices this week! She had to go and tell her Sparks teacher why she would not be attending and that alone about broke my heart! She did a good job and was super brave and kept the tears away until the end! Her teacher handled it beautifully and talked to E. I had tears in my eyes as we walked away. We are praying that it helps E's behavior and choices this week. All this to say - parenting is hard and sometimes it just plain sucks when you have to do the hard stuff!!!

I will let you all know how E's behavior has been next week! :) Stay tuned! :)

Naval Aviation Museum

Any future pilots in the making? Don't get mad - this may be our Christmas picture - so act surprised! The kids are all actually looking somewhat happy and decent!! :)

I decided to take the kiddos to the aviation museum one day while it was cloudy and rainy. It is only about 10 minutes from our condo - so we will be frequenting it more than once! The kids were in awe at the size. We didn't make it very far into the museum before the pictures started! It wouldn't be a true trip to the air museum if we didn't have some Blue Angel pilot pictures.

The kids really like the red airplane!!!

What a ham!

After the Blue Angel stop - there was a huge playset available for 5 very cooped-up children to run free and spread their wings!


We spent a large amount of our time here! Run free my children!!!

A-Hoy Matee!

H raised the flag to announce that the ship had become overtaken by Batchelor Children!


Watch out - yummy has the controls!

Another plane the kids were really into!

A patriotic shot!

Anchors aweigh!

Even the big kids got in on the fun! Daddy was able to meet us at the museum and expain some very technical things to the children! Glad mommy didn't have to! I must admit - I forced this picture and told Ryan to be a good sport and smile! :)

Make a Smilebox photobook

Park Pictures

We were able to get to the kid's favorite park before leaving MD. They call it the "Wooden Park" and love to spend time there!

"Peek!"

Here are the three older kids getting ready for AWANA. G is in his second year of Sparks and going strong! E is in her first year of Sparks and achieving so much! R is finally in Cubbies and has wanted to be a Cubbie Bear for over a year now. He loves it and feels like a big kid when he gets to go!